Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 | Herbert Blomstedt and the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig

It was the high point of Leipzig’s tenth anniversary celebrations of German reunification – Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67, performed by the Gewandhaus Orchestra Leipzig and conducted by Herbert Blomstedt. The commemorative concert was held in the St. Nicholas Church on October 9, 1999.

A key moment in history occurred in Leipzig – the former GDR’s second-largest city – on October 9, 1989, when some 70,000 Leipzig residents overcame their fear of their authoritarian state to demonstrate for freedom, and increased democracy. This ‘Monday demonstration‘ as it would become known ran peacefully, despite mounting political tensions, and would become one of the events that lead to the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, one month later.

The demonstrators' rallying cry of "Wir sind das Volk!“ – we are the people – was picked up again for this concert, where the fateful turn of history was to be commemorated with this performance of Beethoven's Fifth, also known as his 'Fateful Symphony'. It‘s said to have received the additional epithet by way of a bon mot from the composer himself. Speaking of its four opening notes and their famous rhythm, Beethoven is reported to have said "Thus, fate knocks at the door!"

This interpretation by the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, conducted by Herbert Blomstedt, is positively ponderous in tempo, meaning one can listen intently to each twist and turn of Beethoven's symphony. In commemoration of that crucial day in Leipzig so shortly before the shift in the tide of world politics, this artistic choice certainly works to underscore the slow turning of fate.

(00:00) I. Allegro con brio
(07:45) II. Andante con moto
(17:49) III. Allegro
(26:21) IV. Allegro

© EuroArts

#beethoven #symphony #blomstedt

[carloslaguensbermejo]

Magistral interpretación de la célebre Quinta Sinfonía del genial compositor alemán Ludwig van Beethoven que es sin ninguna duda una de las obras más importantes de toda la historia musical. No tengo palabras para definir acertadamente la sabiduría que posee el legendario director de orquesta sueco-estadounidense Herbert Blomstedt que a pesar de tener en la actualidad 94 años todavía continua en activo como Maestro Invitado de las más prestigiosas orquestas mundiales. BRAVO !!!! Saludos desde España.

[staffanolofsson]

This was October 1999, now it is October 2022, and Maestro Blomstedt is still conducting, now 95 years old. Whar a wonderful life together with music!

[Selcuk.Aytimur]

I am sick, headache, a bad stomach and hurting body...This conductor, the orchestra and the fifth was a therapy. 👏👏👏👏👏

[briannovak-mcsweeney]

Yesterday, February 12, 2023 my wife Julie and I experienced the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, conducted by 95 year old maestro HERBERT BLOMSTEDT.Magnificent.There were members in the orchestra who were yet to be born when he began his ten year tenure here in 1984.God bless you Maestro Blomstedt!!!!

[Serges-rq]

Это в высшей степени гениальное симфоническое произведение величайшего из музыкантов в истории человечества стало первой классической музыкальной композицией, которую услышал ещё в детстве и был потрясён силой её гармонии, красоты, величия, всепоглощающего очарования, граничащего с благоговением перед могуществом звукового океана, музыкальным цунами обрушивающегося на слушателя в первой части этого бессмертного шедевра. Ведь в пятой симфонии по сути сконцентрирована вся духовная составляющая человеческой жизни, включающая и ту часть пути, которая находится за пределами земного существования. Страстность, упоение в борьбе, красота, любовь, стремление к счастью, радость и ощущение праздника, когда силы добра побеждают зло - душа и сердце разрываются от гаммы чувств, захлёстывающих при погружении в восхитительный бетховенский мир, звуковое великолепие которого не сравнимо ни с чем! Блистательный оркестр и прославленный дирижёр своим искусством творят чудеса, поднимая монументальное произведение великого классика на фантастическую, непревзойдённую высоту! Наслаждению нет предела!

[ВладиславЛоскутов-ыб]

Я бывший тромбонист и впервые услышал 5 симфонию Великого Бетховена 60 лет назад, испытал необыкновенный восторг от ее притягательной силы, божественной красоты!!! Браво музыке Бетховена! Браво маэстро Блумстедт!

[matthewv]

This is one of the best recordings and interpretations I know of, as I have come to expect from Blomstedt. The sound is wonderful.

[hernangogol]

This Fifth Symphony I will call it. The Symphony of JUSTICE! Beethoven was an absolute Philosophical Genius. Who put his Philosophical transcendental ideas into MUSIC! not WORDS! he was the Ultimate! The truly Guardian of the Classical Music. His face in Heaven, probably it's pure LIGHTNING! ⚡! 🙄

[협주곡-uf]

너무 멋지고 고급 스럽습니다 어느 성당 같은데. 보시는 분들 어쩜 저리 조용 할까요
대부분 악장과 악장
사이 기침하고 소란스러운데....
티비 화면으로 감상 하는데 너무 황홀합니다 감사합니다

[萩原耕介-gs]

Oh ! beautiful Beethoven Sym.No.5, I love this tempo so so so much, Blomstedt' s breathing, long note and rhythm articulation are veryveryvery easy to enjoy them.

[klassischmusik]

No matter how many performance will be performed and how many conductor will conduct this genius masterpiece no one will match and reach the level that only Herr Herbert Blomstedt reached because simply he is the only one that reaches the way that this Symphony should be and must be performed! I am very selective in a sense that's really hard and difficult to my ear can be pleased but he did it! Only him who did it.

[julianbermejodepablo]

Jamás me cansaré de escuchar estas maravillas del genio de Bonn

[CarmenD]

waaaaw ... 15 years i hear this symphony .... its immortal for ever !

[albinojuanbazzanella]

Blomstedt is one of my favorite conductors. His performances are perfect!

[gregoriokuhn]

Todas las sinfonías de Beethoven son una joya. Esta interpretación y dirección me parece magistral. Bravo 💪

[briananderson]

Good Lord the 3rd mvmt is delicious... Also, as a former non-professional flute player, I must give a Shout Out to the principal flute player here. She has achieved perfect timing with the orchestra and also an astounding Beethovenian flute tone. Brava. An A+. The entire Woodwind Section is stupendous. Thank You to Maestro Blomstedt for having a solid idea about how this symphony should go and for following through on that idea. You clearly were not merely "dialing it in". For that, and for your musical ideas about Beethoven's 5th, I thank you.

[MikeDrewYT]

So many members of the audience absolutely rapt, *actively* engaged. I've never seen an audience doing so much active listening. I don't know if that had something to do with the occasion for this concert, but it *must* have mostly to do with the vitality and focus of the performance. Remarkable video.

[joemancini]

During his tenure in San Francisco in the 1980’s, I had the distinct pleasure of both hearing the Maestro’s work and personally connecting with him after performances. He was always gracious and happy to receive a dedicated public. Once, after a wonderful Bruckner 8th, we went backstage afterwards, and I told the Maestro that I had never heard a better Bruckner 8th. The Maestro seemed thunderstruck to hear such praise. He threw his head back, looked at me, and said, “Really?” Yes, really, Maestro. God bless you and your continuing good work.

[DannyHwang-cs]

믿을 수 없을만큼 아름답고 박력넘치는 연주입니다. 블롬스테트 지휘자님! 150살까지만 건강하게 사셔요

[crokodaildendi]

27 000 000 Советских людей было убито и замучено нацистами! Но Советский Союз Победил - и теперь немцы могут слушать Великого Бетховена ! Да Здравствует Великий Подвиг Советского Солдата!